–Court of Appeal dismisses government’s challenge, orders Parliament convened no later than May 7

–Prime Minister ordered to pay costs of respondents

–GNUT at 23, Opposition coalition 27 ahead of motion of no-confidence

BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Court of Appeal (CoA) has dismissed the appeal by government and has ordered for the Prime Minister to take steps to call parliament to meet no later than Thursday next week, May 7.

CoA yesterday [May 1] ruled in favour of the High Court ruling on April 14 which called for Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to call for Parliament to face the matured motion of no confidence against him.

In a unanimous decision, the panel of justices – Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika, Justice Howard Lowry and Justice Gina Nott – dismissed the Attorney General’s 39 grounds of appeal, finding that the government’s delay in calling Parliament amounted to an unlawful obstruction of Parliamentary rights.

The Appeal justices ordered that the Prime Minister must take all reasonable and lawful steps before 12pm on Tuesday, May 5, for the Parliament to sit on Thursday, May 7.

The Court of Appeal also ordered Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to pay cost for the respondents (Majority Opposition Coalition).

Speaking to media after the court today, lawyer for the Opposition coalition Gabriel Suri echoed this saying that ‘by Tuesday, May 5, the Prime Minister should take all lawful steps to call for parliament to meet no later than May 7’.

Suri said if the Prime Minister does not take any reasonable steps to comply with the Court of Appeal Orders, then it would be deemed as a Contempt of Court.

Attorney General John Muria outside court told media that he would have to check the Court of Appeal ruling first and try to make sense of it before taking any reasonable steps.

Wilson Rano, representing the speaker of National parliament, told media outside the court that there are certain areas within our constitution that needs amendment.

The CoA ruling is expected to have significant political ramifications, as it clears the path for the Majority Opposition Coalition to challenge the Prime Minister’s leadership.

This landmark judgment reinforces the principle that Executive authority cannot override the constitutional rights of Parliament, setting a precedent for future governance in the Solomon Islands.

CoA dismissed all four points of the appeal by government.

The appeal, which included up to 39 grounds of appeal in total, was built around four central legal arguments presented during the proceedings:

1) Violation of the separation of powers: Attorney General John Muria Jnr argued that the High Court’s order for the Prime Minister to convene Parliament infringed upon the separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Executive branches.

2) Interference with parliamentary processes: The Attorney General contended that the ruling violated internal parliamentary procedures, which are generally considered the domain of the legislature rather than the courts.

3) Lack of constitutional authority to compel parliament: Muria Jnr maintained that the court does not possess the constitutional authority to compel Parliament to meet.

4) Absence of legal duty and fixed timeframe: He argued that Section 34 of the Constitution does not impose a specific legal duty on the Executive to call Parliament within a fixed timeframe and that the High Court had ‘assumed jurisdiction where none existed’.

The three Appeal justices – Chief Justice Sir Gibuma, Justice Lowry and Justice Nott had heard and dealt with oral and written submissions from both parties from April 22-23 last week.

The High Court had ruled in favour of the Opposition coalition on April 14. The next day government filed an appeal. On April 16, the CoA ruled a Stay on the High Court’s April-14 judgement.

The Appeal case was heard over two days, April 22-23, after which the CoA put May 1 for its date of ruling.

PM Manele currently runs GNUT government with a minority of 23 MPs in total, against the Opposition coalition which boasts 27 MPs.

The appellants in the Appeal case include the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General.

Wilson Rano represents the Speaker while the Attorney General and his legal team represent the Governor General and the Prime Minister.

BY ALICE CAMPBELL
Government and the Solomon Islands Nurses Association (SINA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), resulting in the withdrawal of the nurses’ strike notice.
The MOU reflects constructive dialogue and good faith negotiations between both parties, addressing key concerns raised by SINA while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to improving nurses’ welfare and working conditions, a statement by the Government Communication Unit (GCU) yesterday said.
Both parties will continue to engage and collaborate to implement agreed actions in a timely and transparent manner, the statement said.
The resolution prioritises maintaining stability within the health sector and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential health services.
The Government acknowledges nurses’ critical role in healthcare and appreciates SINA’s professionalism and patience.
SINA acknowledges the Government’s willingness to engage and address outstanding matters, leading to the strike notice withdrawal.
Both parties reaffirm their commitment to open communication and working together for the nation’s health system.
SINA issued its 28-day strike notice on March 23.
The association launched this notice due to long-standing industrial issues, specifically governance concerns within the nursing cadre and claims related to the 2015 revised Scheme of Service that have remained unresolved since 2019.
Nurses have been facing problems need addressing since 2019. In October 2020 following unpaid covid allowances for frontline nurses, around 500 nurses staged a sit-in protest.
Government responded by suspending SINA and threatened to sack nurses en mass if they did not return to work.
To date, most of the underlying problems facing nurses remain unmet.
Following the ease of pandemic restrictions, experienced nurses have left for greener pastures overseas.
It remains to be seen what the latest MOU between government will do in terms of actual resolution and address of nurses’ problems. Many fear, it could be another band-aid measure for temporary appeasement.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Ian Vaevaso the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commissioner described professionalism, accountability and closer community engagement as key priorities for the force moving forward.
Speaking during his official appointment as the new Police commissioner, Mr Vaevaso said the RSIPF has a clear direction under its Strategic Plan 2026–2036, with a focus on building a skilled, disciplined and well-supported workforce.
He said that investing in officers remains central to the plan, including leadership development, fair career progression, performance management and improved officer well-being.
“Professionalism must define us. Integrity must guide us, and accountability must be non-negotiable,” he said.
He said that corruption, abuse of authority and misconduct have no place within the force as such actions erode public trust and weaken the institution.
Commissioner Vaeveso also raised concerns about the misuse of public resources, including vehicles, boats and equipment, describing them as assets entrusted to the police on behalf of the people.
“When these resources are misused or neglected, it undermines operational capability and damages public confidence,” he said.
He called on supervisors to take greater responsibility for maintaining standards within their commands, ensuring officers are properly trained, mentored and disciplined.
Mr Vaevaso said that the importance of community policing under the theme “Police Blo Iu,” represents more than a slogan.
“It is a commitment to serve our people, starting from villages, settlements, churches and homes. Key focus areas include early intervention for youth, stronger responses to gender-based and domestic violence, and culturally respectful approaches to resolving disputes,” he said.
He also pointed to emerging threats such as transnational crime, drugs, cybercrime and resource-related offences, which require stronger intelligence, coordination and capability.
He said that the RSIPF will uphold fairness, transparency and impartiality across all provinces.
“The years ahead are critical. To every officer in uniform, you are the foundation of this organisation. Your discipline, resilience and commitment sustain the RSIPF,” he said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Graduates from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have been encouraged to uphold responsibility, integrity, and commit to lifelong learning as they step into the next chapter of their lives.
Professor Transform Aqorau, SINU vice chancellor said this when he addressed the SINU graduating class of April 2026 on Thursday, April 30, at the Friendship Hall in Honiara.
Aqorau reminded students that their qualifications carry more than personal achievement and reflected on the investment of families, communities and the nation.
“You have not earned this qualification for yourselves alone. What you do with it matters, not only for your own future, but for others as well,” he said.
He urged graduates to use their knowledge with honesty and sound judgment to open opportunities not just for themselves but for those around them.
The VC also put strong emphasis on integrity, describing it as the foundation of trust in any profession.
“While academic knowledge may open doors, personal character determines whether individuals are trusted to remain and succeed. In a world filled with shortcuts and convenience, let your word be dependable and your conduct honourable,” he said.
He further encouraged graduates to demonstrate leadership through service, courage, and sound judgment in their everyday actions.
He said that leadership can take many forms, including improving community standards, creating employment through business, strengthening healthcare and education, or promoting accountability in public life.
“Whatever form it takes, let your leadership lift others,” Aqorau said.
He challenged graduates to commit to lifelong learning, admitting that education does not end at graduation.
“The most valuable graduates are those who remain teachable, who keep learning, questioning, and growing,” he said.
He calls on graduates to play an active role in shaping the nation’s future and reminded them not to underestimate their potential contribution.
“You are not only inheriting the future, you are shaping it,” he said.
He congratulated graduates on their achievements and encouraged to move forward with purpose, using their education to serve people, build communities, and strengthen institutions across the country.

By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The local contractors and provincial team have benefited from a one-day training workshop in Auki yesterday.
The training, funded by the World Bank, was basically to teach important knowledge and reminders when applying for construction tenders.
In an interview, one of the contractors, David Dan, said the training has given them more knowledge and information regarding the requirements for submission for any tender.
He said it also helps to understand the consequences and failures if they don’t meet the requirements.
“It really helps us. It broadens our knowledge about all the requirements to meet the aid donors’ regulations,” he said.
“It also provides ways to improve the safety of the company, workers, and other people,” he said.
The facilitator, Edward Danitofea from the Ministry of Provincial Government, said the training workshop will reach out to all provinces in the country.
He said the training needs to reach all provinces to improve and include mitigation measures during the implementation of any projects.
“It was very important when a contractor submitted their application for any construction tender because this also includes mitigation measures and costs. This is the required regulation that the World Bank and other donors need,” he added.
The Island Sun newspaper understands that the training workshop will be a bonus for all contractors attending, as they will receive certificates attendance.

BY ALICE CAMPBELL
M-SELEN has launched a nationwide initiative titled “Happy Sunday” aimed at strengthening the use of digital financial services while delivering direct value to customers across the Solomon Islands.
Running until August 9, 2026, the campaign introduces a weekly reward system where customers who complete successful transactions valued at $10 or more on Sundays are automatically entered into a draw to win cash prizes.
A total of 15 winners will be selected each week, with winnings credited directly into their M-SELEN wallets.
The initiative applies to everyday transactions such as bill payments, airtime and utility top-ups, purchasing goods and services, as well as sending, depositing, and withdrawing money.
By linking rewards to routine financial activity, the campaign fits naturally into how customers already use M-SELEN.
The initiative supports efforts to expand access to digital financial services, particularly for communities with limited access to traditional banking.
M-SELEN reduces the need for travel, lowers transaction costs, and improves convenience.
Increased usage is expected to benefit customers, small businesses, market vendors, and agents by improving transaction flow and supporting local economic activity.
Customers do not need to register. Any qualifying transaction of $10 or more on Sundays is automatically entered into the weekly draw.
Customers who successfully transact $10 or more on Sundays automatically enter Sunday draws worth over $40,000 in total prizes.